Page 114 of Forsaken Secrets

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Eli

Kaiya stormed out of the room, and I turned to Jaiel. "What in the seven hells?!" I stalked over to him, my cheek throbbing. "Couldn't you have just waited until we were back at the rooms to talk? I was planning to tell her, but not THAT way."

My chest ached, but I didn't want to think on it right now. I just needed to do something.

"You really think she would have reacted differently if you'd just said it another way? You've lied to her the entire time you've known her. I may not be the best at feelings, but even I know people don't like to be lied to."

I groaned and gathered my supplies, the ache in my chest blossoming into my throat. I swallowed the sudden lump that formed there. "Gods be damned. I fucked up, Jaiel."

He pressed a hand into my shoulder. "Eli, you did what you had to. It wasn't like you had a choice! You can't go telling every girl you like that you're part of the Rogues. Imagine if a Seeker found out. Our entire operation would be compromised! I'm just saying that her response was valid, too … and it has nothing to do with me."

I glared at the handsome Fae man. He was dressed in full leathers, the brown fabric molding perfectly to his body. I'd tried to emulate the style many times, but could never pull it off the same way he did.

He gathered the wavy black hair from his shoulders and pulled it back, tightening it into a low bun and showing off those pointed Fae ears.

"Nothing to do with you? What was that shit you pulled trying to charisma her?"

"Well, she had a knife to your throat. I was just trying to save your lying ass." His brows dropped for a second. "It didn't work, though … why didn't it work?"

"I told you. She's something special …" And I'd gone and ruined it. Gods. Why hadn't I just broken the damn rules?

"Could you recruit her? Obviously not now, but once this blows over … I know you said she's worried about her aunt, but the Rogues would be much better for her than those damn Reapers, let alone Frexin's team."

I shook my head. "There's no way. She needs money, and they are the only way she'll get enough of it. Especially now."

"Do you actually love her? Or were you just saying it to make her stay?" Jaiel asked, his voice teasing. I wanted to say something scathing or brush it off, but it felt too raw. So, I cleared my throat and pulled my pack onto my shoulder. "I don't know."

He shook his head, sending the single earring he wore jangling, "She's certainly a fiery one … I mean, that punch! And when was the last time a woman held a dagger to your throat? I could have some fun with that one …" he laughed softly.

His words made my fists clench. No. She wasn't mine. If she liked him, who was I to say otherwise?

"But where's the sensuality," he continued, "the sultriness? She wears britches for saint's sake."

And there was the vain Jaiel I knew and … tolerated. I rolled my eyes. "Oh come on. We both know you're just pissed because she didn't respond to your charisma. When was the last time a woman actually turned you down?"

One of his brows rose, and his nose flared, "Is that what you think?" He shook his head. "No. I know you like her, but feelings like that are just dangerous … for everyone … especially in our line of work."

My cheeks heated, the bruise from her punch throbbing. "You wouldn't know true love if it bit you in the perfumed ass."

Jaiel laughed, the sound warm and rich. I wanted to punch him. "Of course not. Love is for fools." He rolled his shoulders, then shrugged. "If you want to be foolish, who am I to stop you, though."

"You're such an ass, Jaiel."

He grinned impishly and motioned towards the entry. "Shall we? If your lady is correct, we should probably get out of town while we still can."

I grimaced. "I can't just leave her. You don't need to stay, but she's about to lose everything … I need to figure out how to help."

"Well, then. We'd better get to work. Tell me your ideas as we walk."

I stared at his retreating back, mouth agape. He was going to help?

"This charisma has to be used somehow. Besides, I'm assuming this Ellingsworth fellow — "

"Woman," I interjected.

He shrugged. " — well, if she's smart, I'm assuming she already has all the exits out of town blocked."

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